More than two thirds of England is now in drought, with widespread hosepipe bans currently in effect. Should these restrictions prove insufficient, drought orders may be implemented.
Alastair Chisholm, water, policy, regulation and governance Lead at Arup, states that the cultural assumption of Britain always having enough water belongs to a different climate. He suggests this summer should prompt a shift in design to accommodate the current climate.
The UK has experienced three flash droughts in the last five years, indicating a changing climate. Experts suggest that relying solely on infrastructure, such as new reservoirs and water transfers, will only meet an estimated 30 to 40 per cent of future water demand, with proposed new reservoirs not expected to be complete until 2045 at the earliest.
Building long-term resilience involves designing homes, communities, towns, businesses, and landscapes with water in mind. This includes creating more water-smart citizens and communities, incorporating efficient taps, showers, and white goods, and increasing rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse.
Towns and cities could also manage rainfall more effectively through features like rain gardens, street trees, and pocket parks, which can cool urban areas and allow more water to infiltrate the ground. Beyond urban areas, rebuilding natural resilience in landscapes through precision irrigation, regenerative farming, reforestation, and landscape rewetting is also considered essential.